History you can visit

Ozark, where the river put a town to work.

A riverside mill, a railroad caboose and a cave reveal different chapters of Ozark’s working landscape.

The town’s history

Follow the water

The Ozark Mill began in 1833 where the Finley River met a mail route. It helped serve a growing settlement, survived repeated rebuilding, and kept milling until 1992. Its reuse today makes a good starting point for noticing how older places keep finding new purposes. [1]

A mill that moved out of the way

In 2018, the mill was rolled back from the river so its foundation could be repaired, then returned to the water’s edge. [1]

History can be underground, too

Smallin Civil War Cave’s guided tours combine history, folklore and geology. Its historic district joined the National Register in 2018. [2]

Explore the stops

Places with a story

History you can visit

Historic mill · visitor destination

The Ozark Mill at Finley Farms

Explore the mill’s history tour and riverside setting; dining is an optional addition. [1]

Find it: 802 Finley Farms Lane, Ozark.

Plan your visit: Check tour access separately from restaurant reservations.

History & visitor information

Guided tour

Smallin Civil War Cave

A different view of local history through a cave landscape. [2]

Find it: 3575 N. Smallin Road, Ozark.

Plan your visit: The operator describes its standard tour as a one-hour, half-mile walk without stairs. Ask about conditions and suitability before booking.

History & visitor information

Railroad landmark · exterior

Frisco caboose

Donated to the city in 1983, the red caboose recalls the railroad that served Ozark. The city moved it from Finley River Park in 2026 to protect it from flooding. [4]

Find it: Near the Chadwick Flyer Trailhead at the Ozark Community Center.

Plan your visit: Use the city’s relocation notice for the new location. View the exterior; interior access is not advertised.

History & visitor information

Build a short outing

From mill power to railroad travel

Start at the mill. Ask about the history tour before deciding whether to stay for food.
Find the red caboose. Head to its new home by the community center trailhead and connect the railway story with the mill’s riverside setting.
Add a cave tour if it suits your day. Reserve around the operator’s schedule and allow a separate drive.

Plan to drive between these stops. This guide covers the City of Ozark near Springfield, not Lake of the Ozarks.

Sources & visiting notes

Sources checked September 19, 2026. Follow operator links for current hours, admission and accessible entry. Historic descriptions do not guarantee interior access.